The Comic Speculator 12/23/2009

The Comic Speculator is a blog written by WorthPoint Comic Book “Worthologist” Matt Baum that takes a look at each week’s hot new comics and back issues and the comic market place in general. Prices discussed here are taken from the Overstreet Guide to Comics (OVST), Comicspriceguide.com (CPG) and current online auction sales. Sales numbers and rankings are courtesy of ICV2.com. Make sure and click on the active links to learn more about the titles and creators discussed here.

Back Issue Watch:

Back issues of the “Flash Reborn” (the return of DC’s Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen) aren’t too hard to find yet, but fans of Barry Allen had a fierce bidding war this week on eBay when an issue of “Showcase” #13 (March 1958) CGC certified Universal 8.5 copy sold for $4,605.55. A “Universal” grade is given to comics with no obvious flaws or restorations. Showcase #13 is the third appearance of Barry Allen as the Flash and currently guides for $3,360 in 8.0 condition (CPG) and (OVST). So why is it selling for so much? As it happens, high-grade issues of Silver Age Flash comics are very difficult to come by. According to the CGC Census, there are only three copies of Showcase #13 graded in 8.5 condition, the two others have both been restored, and only two copies graded in better condition (one 9.0 and one 9.2). Not a bad early Christmas present for one lucky nerd. Oh, maybe it was my wife that won it for me! I’ll be sure to act surprised Christmas morning.

New Comics Watch:

On the subject of new comics; there’s more than 190 new comics hitting the stands this week, so get ready for a haul. But don’t panic. You’ll have some time to catch your breath. Diamond isn’t shipping any comics next week, making Jan 6, 2010 the first new comic Wednesday of the year. That means it’s the last new comic Wednesday of 2009. All the more excuse to empty your wallets and purses.

Solicitation: Willow Rosenberg has worn many faces—a shy computer geek, a loyal friend, a passionate lover, a fierce Wiccan, and a dark Willow. Now, in season eight of the critically acclaimed, award-winning Buffy comics series, Willow’s powers have grown exponentially. She can fly. Teleport. And may or may not be immortal. All we know is that Willow went on a walkabout following the demise of Sunnydale, and she met a very sultry, extremely powerful serpent lady who seems to be the key to unraveling the mysteries of what Willow is, and will become. Joss Whedon and his Fray co-creator Karl Moline reunite for this special one-shot!

Why it’ll go fast: Checking in at #35 on the Top 300 Comics Ordered for November, Buffy #30 was Dark Horse’s highest selling title, shipping 49,155 issues. However, it’s been quite a while since Whedon has written Buffy and I don’t think retailers will be ready for the demand on this issue. Typically, one-shots are ordered lower than regular issues of titles, but this one has two things going for it; Whedon and Willow. There isn’t a Buffy fan out there that doesn’t love Willow and thinks she could support her own title. Buffy nerds are going to come looking for this issue.

Solicitation: Steve Rogers has returned, but Bucky Barnes is the current Captain America, and has come into his own in the role. Will there be two Captain Americas? Will Bucky go back to being the Winter Soldier? What will happen? Decisions, decisions, decisions . . .

Why it’ll go fast: I shouldn’t even have to respond to that question. Steve Rogers, the original Cap, is back! That’s why this comic will go fast! Yeah, I’m pretty excited about his return, as are all Cap nerds right now. Here’s the stinky part. “Captain America: Reborn,” the six-issue series chronicling Roger’s return, is late and hasn’t finished yet. Not that we didn’t know he was coming back. I mean, the comic is titled “Reborn.” Regardless, this issue sells out no matter how many were printed. Will it be worth anything in the short term? Probably not, as most nerds will be buying it and storing their copies in Near Mint condition. But long-term, it could be worth mentioning.

Why it’ll go fast: “New Mutants” has been creeping up in sales slightly since “X-Necrosha” began with issue #6 (from the 57 spot in October to the 55 spot in November on the Top 300 Ordered Comics List), but not enough to keep up with demand. Retailers are currently trying to order in the midst of five different crossovers in just Marvel and DCU alone. Which means most are content to let a title like New Mutants sell out, making it very hard to find. Especially when fans of “X-Force”—a title that sells in the top 25 every month—want to keep up with the X-Necrosha crossover.

That’s all for now kiddies. Hope you all had a great Hanukah, or have a great Christmas/Solstice/Kwanza. Remember, no new comics next week, so TCS will feature a back-issue spotlight instead of the usual bad comic journalism.

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Matt Baum is WorthPoint’s comic book Worthologist. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question below in the “comments” section below. Also, you can follow him on Twitter, where I’m always screaming about something nerd-related. Thanks to all Matt’s new followers and keep the comments coming! Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint to search its database or use its “Ask A Worthologist” feature. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price. And finally, a word to the Federal Trade Commission; all the comics discussed here are purchased solely by the writer, who receives no gifts or free merchandise from any publishers, even though he would graciously accept them.